Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 157308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
“Fucking hell,” he breathed.
“Couldn’t have said it better.” I swallowed a healthy swig. “But you asked what made tonight so awful. I’m marrying a guy who wants nothing to do with me, because he’s tight with the people who bullied Winter till she killed herself. The same people who basically told me to fuck off or they’d drive me out.” I hugged my knees to my chest, resting on the window. “I wasn’t supposed to do this without her. Winter and I planned our weddings to the last detail—including her maid of honor dress.”
I didn’t know my cheeks were wet until he stroked them, staining his fingers with my tears.
“I wasn’t meant to pretend life goes on with the very monsters who drove Winter to end hers.” I laughed mirthlessly. “What do you think? Do I win? Because losing the family you have and the family you wished for all in one diagnosis is pretty fucking crushing too.”
“I’m not so callous as to declare you a winner. I’m sorry I suggested a bet... and I’m sorry about your sister. If she’s anything like you, she was a special person. The world is worse off without her in it.”
My chest cracked on a sob. “How can you say that? You don’t know me.”
“Most of the crowd downstairs would agree with my parents’ decision to disown me while you’re here drinking with a complete stranger, saying what I wished to hear someone say since this nightmare started—that I made the right choice. That’s enough for me to start with.”
Despite myself, a tiny smile pricked my lips. “Names would be a good place to start too.” I wiped my face, tucking my grief back into a place it’d do me the most good and fuel into hatred. I wasn’t crying anymore. It was time for the Royals to do that.
“I’m Luna.”
“Luna.” Something flashed in his eyes, so quick I figured it was the remains of his buzz. “Nice to meet you. My name’s Adonis.”
My brows flew up my forehead. “Adonis? As in the Greek god of beauty? This time you are shitting me.”
He laughed too loud, tugging giggles out of me. “I’m afraid it’s true. They put Adonis on the birth certificate. Now you see the people I’ve been dealing with my whole life.”
“Don’t get me started. At least you weren’t named after your parents’ adventurous sex life. Winter for my sister because she was conceived while they were camping in the snow. Luna for me because I came along during a moonlit picnic.”
“Got a thing for outdoor sex. Can’t blame them.”
“Ugh,” I cried, clapping my hands over my ears. I forgot about the scotch and splashed half in my hair. “Imagine that being one of the only things your mother told you about your dad. He was handsome, kind, and—oh yeah, he drops his pants in the dirt.”
We fell against each other laughing.
“I can’t top that, but I’ve got my stories. When I was eight, my father left me at the zoo. He said forgetting me was a mistake, but I’ve always suspected he secretly hoped the chimps would adopt me. Park security popped that dream.”
Cracking up, I helped myself to more.
“I feel compelled to ask if you’re old enough to drink, Luna.”
“Squash the compulsion. You just got disowned and I’m a commercial for antidepression meds. No one needs a drink more than us.”
“I hear you.” He said that but the decanter was suddenly out of my hands and placed on the floor beside him. “I was supposed to get married last weekend. I should be sailing the Mediterranean on a month-long honeymoon right about now.”
I groaned. “Italy, France, Spain, Morocco. You should’ve gone without her.”
“The only thing more pathetic than drinking your sorrows above a party you weren’t invited to, is going on a honeymoon alone.”
“No, the only thing more pathetic than drinking your sorrows above a shitty party is being the sad acts printed on the invitations, bringing the whole town out to celebrate two people who can’t stand each other. You, Adonis, would have no shortage of young, nubile backpackers willing to help you forget about your ex-fiancée. On my honeymoon, my bedsheets will see as much action as a nunnery.”
“Hmm.” Adonis scrunched up his face. “Tell me more about these nubile young backpackers.”
I nudged his arm. “Mindy, Tracy, and Belinda are going to tell you about themselves while asking you to rub suntan lotion on their backs for the fifth time.”
A low chuckle rolled out of his chest. “I know. I get it. Feels like the end of my life now, but I’m young and I’ve got my health. One day, I’ll meet someone who understands why I did what I did, and if she wants a family too, she’ll explore the other options with me. Until then, I’ve got a degree and a job. I didn’t need my parents’ money before and I don’t need it now that it’s gone. I’ll be okay.” He laid his hand over mine. “Will you?”